CIRCA 1800-1804

Details

A RARE PAIR OF BALTIMORE FLINTLOCK PISTOLS SIGNED HODGSON & THOMPSON
circa 1800-1804
Of duelling type, with brass swamped octagonal barrels with no provision for sights, inscribed 'Baltimore' in cursive letters and engraved with a beaded line at the breech, engraved barrel tangs, signed bevelled locks each with engraved stepped tail and roller (both cocks cracked at the neck), dark walnut full stocks, flat-sided butts, brass trigger-guards and ramrod-pipes, the former each with English early acorn finial and engraved with The United States Eagle beneath an arrangement of thirteen state stars, and each retaining its original horn-tipped wooden ramrod, Tower private proof marks, barrelsmith's mark IR.
13¼in (33.7cm) (2)

Special notice

VAT rate of 5% is payable on hammer price and at 15% on the buyer's premium

Lot Essay

The barrels were forged by John Richards (1), working at 54 Strand (near the Adelphi), 1782-1808.

Robert Hodgson traded as a merchant at 152 Baltimore Street, Baltimore and was joined in 1800 by Hugh Thompson, also a merchant. They are recorded as gun dealers and importers and continued at 10 North Gay Street until 1803, when they moved to 215 Baltimore Street and in turn to 215 Cross Forrest Street. The business was concluded in the following year.

The thirteen stars engraved on the trigger-guards are representative of the number of colonies symbolised by the first official flag of the United States, 1777-1795.

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